We recently connected with Danielle D. Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle D., appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My legacy will be how I use my Superpowers to assist people to feel amazing, especially when they have endured and triumphed over abuse and trauma. It will also be my festival, Film, Author & Photography Festival, my film Don’t Be Quiet and my book Yesterday’s Tomorrow.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

In 2019, I began teaching at Ohio Media School and one day, I found myself in an in-depth conversation with my students about their future in media. During the discussion, I shared my experiences of touring the film festival circuit and the awards I have won along the way. My students were in awe and showed great interest in learning more.

This gave me the initial idea to form an after-school program. The thought of opening up this world to more people and allowing them to find the happiness and success I had experienced quickly became an important goal. The following week a friend of mine, Brand Strategist, Mamie Saunders, called me saying, God spoke to her about me having a film festival.

At the time I was working on enhancing my coaching business and did not want to take on that task. A couple of weeks later she called asking for me to attend a masterclass the following morning. I trusted her, so I said yes and paid the fee without knowing who the speaker was! When we got to the class I met business strategist, Lucinda Cross who was able to hear my heart and turned it into gold!

I had an ah-ha moment that I still cannot articulate clearly or with justice. She helped me see how an after-school program and festival can intertwine to fully envision the possibilities for igniting our youth’s passion for media. I was emboldened by the idea of showing students how to maneuver in excellence and strive for their dreams. The creation of The Columbus Film, Author, and Photography Festival developed from that masterclass – built to showcase local, national, and international artists while highlighting our youth’s work.

While planning the first festival I had the great idea to spread my wings and expand the festival into other markets! Which also means expanding the school program as well! I am excited to announce in 2022 we began the festival in Columbus, OH. In 2023, the festival will be in Vegas, LA, Columbus and Atlanta! In 2024 we are aiming for ten states including international. Students throughout the world will have the chance to experience seeing their work displayed on the big screen as well as effectively network with directors and executives.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that my being transparent and having a true desire to help people without wanting anything in return, has built my reputation in my market. I share my story of surviving abuse and trauma and I give the techniques that I use freely. I understand that by sharing I am being the person that I always wanted.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn -crying. It is okay to cry. In fact it is cleansing. Growing up I was made to feel that emotions were not good and to show them was a weakness. While writing my book, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, which is my life story of surviving abuse and trauma, written in fiction format. I thought back to times when I was a child and made to feel that I was wrong to have emotions. If I cried that was weakness. At the age of 38 I was finally learning how to embrace my emotions. I was learning that crying is cleansing and now the floodgates were opened! Feeling was new, scary, great, frustrating and amazing all at once.
I sat with a therapist and a friend and put in the work to be a better version of me. While the onion layers came falling off I learned things about me that shocked and liberated me and I loved it! Now I am feeling and living!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iamdanielledsmith.com; www.columbusfapfestival.com
• Instagram: @iamdanielledsmith @cfapfestival
• Facebook: @iamdanielledsmith @cfapfestival
• Linkedin: Danielle D. Smith

Image Credits
Artfully Images Jehan Daugherty Amanda Bloom Danielle D. Smith